Hong Kong has long had a flair for reinvention and this October, it’s doing so with panache, pairing free half-day tours for transiting passengers with a glittering Wine & Dine Festival that would make even Bacchus raise a glass.
The city is determined to turn every visit, even a fleeting stopover, into a story worth telling. And as the cool autumn air returns and Victoria Harbour lights up like a thousand champagne bubbles, travellers find more than enough reason to linger a little longer.
Stopovers With a Sense of Occasion
Gone are the days of long layovers spent staring at duty-free perfume displays. Hong Kong International Airport now offers visitors a far more rewarding alternative — complimentary half-day tours that whisk travellers beyond the terminal and straight into the city’s heart.
Two themed itineraries await. The Cultural & Culinary Tour explores the spiritual calm of Wong Tai Sin Temple before diving headlong into the colour and flavour of Sham Shui Po, a neighbourhood known for its steaming noodle stalls and authentic, wallet-friendly fare.
For those drawn to the city’s maritime soul, the Harbour & Heritage Tour sails through time and skyline alike from the modern marvels of West Kowloon to the romantic sweep of Victoria Harbour at night, where junks glide against a backdrop of glass and light.
Bookings can be made online or on the spot at the airport, though wise travellers will note it’s a first-come, first-served affair. After all, anything free in Hong Kong tends to disappear faster than a dim sum trolley on a Sunday morning.
A Toast to the City That Never Sits Still
If ever a city embodied the joy of dining well and living boldly, it’s Hong Kong — and the Wine & Dine Festival returns this year from 23 to 26 October to prove it once more.
Set against the breathtaking Central Harbourfront, the four-day celebration brings together the world’s finest wineries, chefs, and mixologists for a festival that fizzes with flavour and rhythm. From rare vintages and global cuisines to local heroes serving up Michelin-starred delights and humble street eats, the event captures the delicious contradictions that make Hong Kong what it is: polished yet playful, traditional yet daringly modern.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is sweetening the experience for international visitors by offering free entry, a souvenir wine glass, and four tasting tokens. To redeem, email your details to [email protected] for a QR code that unlocks your golden ticket to indulgence.
A Taste of What’s to Come
According to Karen Macmillan, HKTB’s Director for Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, the offerings are designed to give every traveller a literal and figurative taste of the city’s dynamic spirit.
“Whether clients are in transit or having the full Hong Kong immersion,” she said, “the city always offers a variety of lively cultural and event experiences. The flavours of the annual Wine & Dine Festival continue to draw the crowds, while we believe just a taste of Hong Kong via our layover tours will see travellers return in future wanting more.”
It’s an apt summation. Few destinations blend efficiency and exuberance quite like Hong Kong, where a layover feels like a holiday and a weekend can feel like a lifetime.
So, whether you’re sipping Sauvignon by the harbour or bowing before temple incense, Hong Kong this October is less a stop on your journey and more a destination in its own right. And if you’ve time for only one toast, make it this: to travel that tastes as good as it feels.
For more details, visit Discover Hong Kong.
By Yves Thomas
